At the one-year anniversary of serving the uninsured in Palm Beach County, Project Access has enlisted the donated services of nearly a dozen medical community partners in addition to that of more than 220 participating physicians.
A program of the Palm Beach County Medical Society Services, Project Access was established with funding support from the Quantum Foundation in the fall of 2005 to help uninsured, low-income residents who do not have access to healthcare. According to the 2004 Florida Health Insurance Study, 18.9% of Palm Beach County residents under 65 were uninsured at that time. This translates into more than 178,000 people. “These are high numbers,” said James Howell, M.D., president of the Palm Beach County Medical Society Services. “The fact that so many people are going untreated for illnesses and diseases impacts our countys overall health and quality of life.” Hospitals, laboratories, imaging and other specialty centers are all signing up for the program to supplement the services provided by primary-care doctors and specialists. So far, the following providers have enrolled in Project Access and will offer free services on a case-by-case, as-needed basis: Columbia Hospital, JFK Medical Center, Jupiter Medical Center, Palms West Hospital, Glades General Hospital, Audiology & Pathology Center, University MRI, Midtown Imaging, Palm Beach Regional MRI and Oracle Diagnostic Laboratories. Quest Laboratories provides services at a discounted rate. Project Access is managed and staffed by the Palm Beach County Medical Society and the Palm Beach County Medical Society Services, a 501(c)3 organization. The program is still in great need of physicians and medical providers.
